oldwhite

Okay so my mechanic is here and I'm wasting his time because advance auto has no idea what there doing. The new center link/drag link is about 3in longer on each side, why is that? Is it supposed to be like this? They said there are no more in the entire state of Florida and they have to get it from the factory but I need my truck now, can we make this work by shorting the tie rods?

Btw my truck is a 2000 f150 4x4 made in March of 2000

RLXXI

Not enough threads in the tie rod adjusters to compensate the extra length besides the fact that the steering is likely to bind up when turning.

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oldwhite

I confirmed with AutoZone that advance auto did send the right part, so What we are guessing now is when the lift was put on they put a shorter drag link in? (truck is lifted 6in with 3in leveling kit) I talked to a buddy of mine and he said you have to cut the tie rods shorter to get it to fit since the truck has a lift, does this sound right?

RLXXI

No idea on modified suspensions, I guess anything's possible, I would call some 4x4 shops and see what they say, or take your old link in and see if you can match it to something.
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oldwhite

Well I found a part number on the old drag link and advanced auto told me it was discontinued, then I called AutoZone and they said it was for a 2wd 2000 f150? I'm getting tired of both stores


The one that is made for a 2000 4x4 f150 is on top, the shorter one that came out of my truck is on bottom

RLXXI

Curious why you are changing it, the sockets that wear out are on the tie rods and idler and pitman arms, all that is, is a hunk of steel.

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oldwhite

Was pulling someone out in 4lo truck started hopping tore cv axle apart bent tie rods and drag link, you can see in picture in my last post

Marc D

With a modified truck suspension, you can't expect any parts store to be able to match your part "off the shelf " That's not what they do. If Auto Zone has the part, who cares what it is supposed to fit? This may have been how the guy who lifted the truck made it work in the first place.

Crbartz

Agreed. I have a 03 f150 4x4 with a Fabtech 6" lift and have replaced my drag link with one from autozone. Whoever put the the lift on used some other part, or the lift may just differ from my Fabtech one. Mabe get ahold of the lift manufacturer and see what's up! Good luck man!

oldwhite

Well I figured out what it was, the shop that put the lift on switched to a 2wd drag link because it is shorter, if you keep the stock one in you have to cut the tie rods down to make them fit.

However now there's only about an inch of tie rod threading in the sleeves that connect the inner and outer tie rod. Does this sound safe? I hope so since I drove the truck like this for 40,000 miles